Surgical instrument



(No Model.)

J. H. WILEY.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

No. 251,014. Patented Dec. 13,1881.

wimwsw N4 PETERS. Pllulo-Lflhugmplver. Washingmn, n. c.

known as a perforator.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. WILEY, 0F osKAmdsA, IoWA.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,014, dated December 13, 1881.

Application filed October 31, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. WILEY, of Oskaloosa, in the county of Mahaska and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Surgical Instruments for use in Producing Oraniotomy, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates more particularly to the instrument used by physicians in obstet rical practice for producing craniotoniy, and

The object of the present invention is, first, to improve the construction of the perforator by providing a shield to protect the cuttingedges; and,seeond, to combine whatis known as the blunt hook in one instrument with the perforator.

The perforators heretofore used are objectionable on account of the danger of cutting thevagina 0r uterus in inserting or withdrawing the instrument.

In the present invention a shield is combined with the perforator proper, so as to protect or cover the cutting edge or edges during the introduction and withdrawal of the same, the said shield being drawn back when it is desired to expose the perforating end of the instrument for cutting the childs head. This shield is preferably adapted to slide on the shank or body of the instrument, and a stop is combined therewith to limit its backward movement, so that the perforator cannot be thrust too far beyond the end of the shield. The blunt hook is formed'on the opposite end of the instrument. Then the hook is used the shield above referred to is slid forward so as to cover the cutting-edges, and is there secured in position by suitable means, such asa holding-screw.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an instrument embodying the invention, showing it in difierent positions; and Fig. 3, a perspective view of the same without the shield; and Figs. 4 and 5 are views in sectional elevation and elevation, respectively, showingthe instrument well known as Smellies perforator provided with a shield in accordance with the first part of the invention. Fig. 4 shows the instrument open, and Fig. 5 the same closed.

A is the perforator proper, with cuttingedges E; B,the shield,and O a holding-screw. The shield B surrounds the body of the perforator A, and is capable of sliding thereon. 5 5 When the instrument is not in use the shield 13 is moved forward so as to cover the cutting-edges E, and is held in place by the screw 0, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the screw passing through a threaded opening, F, in the shield and perforator.

To use the perforator the screw 0 is removed and the instrument is inserted, the shield still covering the cutting-edges E. After introduction the perforator is thrust forward into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so as to bring the cutting-edges into action. When the cutting has been performed the perforator is drawn back into the shield and the whole is removed. With the instrument shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the screw G is placed in a threaded opening, 651162111 the hook end of the perforator, and forms a stop to prevent the cutting-edges from being thrust too far out of the shield. The eyes for the insertion of the operators fingers in the Smellies perforator,Figs.

and 5, serve a similar purpose.

In order to use the blunt hook D, the shield is secured over the cutting-edges E by the screw 0, as shown in Fig. 2, so that it serves as a firm handle, and also prevents the possibility of the operators cutting his hand.

It is obvious that the shield could be combined with other forms of perforators-as, for example, with those known as Bedfords and 8 5 Garlands perforators.

Having now fully described my said invention and the manner of making and using the same, what I claim is-- 1. In an instrument for producing craniotc omy, the perforator with exterior cuttingedges, combined with a shield for covering or protecting the said cutting-edges, the said shield being and operating substantially as described. I 5

2. The combination of the perforator having exterior cutting-edges, the shield formed of a rectangular case capable of sliding on the body edges while inserting or withdrawing the same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. WILEY.

WVitnesses:

JOHN LOFLAND, (J. E. LOFLAND. 

